Hosiery package



Oct. 7, 1958 J. c. BERRY ET AL 2,855,097

` HosIERY PACKAGE Filed June 3, 1957 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN C.55K/ er W/LL/AM J. BERRY BY A wfM Y AGNTs Oct. 7, 1958 Filed June 3,1957 J. C. BERRY VET AL HosIERY PACKAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR AGENTSnited States Patent C) HOSERY PACKAGE John C. Berry and William J Berry,Durham, N. C.

Application June 3, 1957, Serial No. 663,207

8 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) The present invention relates to a package, andmore particularly to a new and improved form of hosiery package for usewith ladies full fashioned hosiery, and a method for packaging same.

Ladies full fashioned hosiery has been marketed for many years in a widevariety of forms. The basic and most widely used type of packaging is toemploy a small box in which usually three pairs of hose are positionedtherein in a loose, folded state. This form of package possesses manydisadvantages in that the hosiery is of necessity excessively handled byprospective customers, oftentimes causing slight snags which willdevelop into runs in the hosiery after they have been purchased andworn. Moreover, this type of packaging has prevented the stockings frombeing properly displayed such that a potential customer can visuallyobserve the lstockings in the state in which they will appear when worn.Also, the customer cannot ascertain the true shade o f the stocking, nordetermine the sheerness, without the excessive handling Vfoundobjectionable.

Another form of marketing which has overcome certain of thedisadvantages of the boxes has been to package the hosiery in acellophane wrapper. In this type of package, each hose is usuallyprovided with a tissue paper insert and the two hose are then foldedtogether and placed in a cellophane wrapper, and the wrapper thensealed. The disadvantage with this type of package has been that thecustomer has been unable to determine the true shade and color it willpossess when Worn. Secondly, this type of package makes it possible tomarket inferior goods as first quality hosiery. Moreover, with this typeof package, the customer cannot determine how the hosiery will appearwhen on the leg.

Other forms of packaging have consisted of multiple pairs of hosierybeing packaged in a box which is then wrapped with cellophane or liketransparent material and sealed. This sealed form of package is providedwith an opening in the box in an etfort to provide the customer with thecolor and shade of the hosiery. This has been objectionable in that thehosiery placed one over the other makes it impossible for the customerto determine the sheerness or the true shade and color of the hosiery.Moreover, this type of package likewise makes it possible to marketinferior quality goods as first quality hosiery. Further, it isimpossible to display this type of package such that the customer willbe attracted to it.

Another form of package that has been introduced commercially in recentyears is that type in which two .pairs of hosiery are wrapped around acardboard insert and then placed in a cellophane Wrapper or the like.This type of package does enable the wearer to observe the hosierybetter than the previous form of packages since the hosiery ismaintained in a iiat, laid-out state. However, this type of packagestill is objectionable in that the sheerness and color of the hosiery isnot possible to determine due to the fact that the hosiery is laid oneupon the other and merely folded around the cardboard insert.

It has been found these foregoing and related disadvantages can beeliminated by the provision of a hosiery package in which a singlestocking is placed against one face of a cardboard panel such that theheel and ankle portion of the single hose will be laid in a Hat, smooth,tensioned state. The toe portion of the hose is folded against the backface of the panel, with the remaining leg portion being folded over theopposite end of the panel,` and then over at least a second panelcomplementary to the tirst panel and joined A thereto along one sideedge by a fold line. At least one additional hose is placed in a foldedstate between the two complementary panels. The panels and hosierypositioned thereon will be confined within a sealed cellophane bag. Thistype of package gives to the wearer a visual presentation of how thestocking will appear in wearing condition prior to purchasing same, aswell as enablingjthe customer to determine the true color and sheernessof the hose prior to purchasing same.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention, in .theelimination of the foregoing andrelated disadvantages, to provide a newand improved form of hosiery package having all of the advantagesobjectionable with the packages heretofore employed without possessingany of the disadvantages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novelhosiery package and method for making same.

Another object of thel present invention is to provide a hosiery packagethat will present a pleasing appearance to a customer and will permither to visualize prior to purchasehow the hose will appear in wearingcondition.

Yet another object of the 4present invention is the provision of ahosiery package of simple construction and extremely inexpensive incost.

A still further o-bject of the present invention is the provisio-n of astocking package which will make it virtually impossible to marketinferior hosiery as first quality goods, since it enables the purchaserto ascertain defects therein prior to purchasing without handling thehosiery.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of ahosiery package that permits a retailer to maintain a full complement ofhosiery in a neat manner for examination by the customers, and toproperly and attractively display same, thereby increasing their sale.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a hosierypackage which will enable the purchaser to ascertain the true color andshade of the product.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of ahosiery package that will permit a customer to ascertain the truesheerness of the hosiery.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved hosiery package which can be displayed more advantageously thanprior packages.

Other and additional objects of the present invention will becomemanifest from the ensuing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

Broadly stated, the hosiery package of the present invention comprisesat least a first and second complementary stiff panel members joined toone another along one side edge by a fold line, the heel and ankleportion of a `first hose positioned against the outside face of said rstpanel member in a fiat, slightly tensioned, laidout state, the toeportion being folded upwardly along the bottom edge of said first panelmember and against the inside face thereof, the remaining portion ofsaid first hosiery being folded downwardly along the top edge of saidrst panel member and upwardly along the bottom edge o-f said secondpanel member, at least one more hose being placed in a loose,foldedstate between said first and second panels, and a transparentwrapper enveloping said panel members and s'aid hosiery.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the presentinvention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain means in thecarry'- ing out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating,however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the inventionmay be employed.

The present invention is illustrated, by way of example, in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of panel members for use -in forming ahosiery package in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a modified form of panel members for usein forming a hosiery package in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of panel members for usein forming a hosiery package in accordance with the present invention.

Figs. 4-7 represent the steps in forming a stocking package inaccordance with the present invention, using the panel members shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a completed hosiery package made inaccordance with the present invention.

Figs. 9-11 represent the steps in forming the modified form of thestocking package in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a modified form of the completed hosierypackage made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and with particular reference to Fig. 1,an illustrative embodiment of the insert to be employed in the formationof the hosiery package made in accordance with the present invention,and generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The insert 10is rectangular in configuration and is made preferably from cardboard,chipboard, or related paper material. The dimensions of the insert 10must be such that the hosiery may be wrapped over the several panels ina manner to be described more fully hereinafter without unnecessaryoverhang, or otherwise produce too bulky a package. The insert 10 is ofa weight and strength sufficient to support the stockings in a fiatposition and yet retain its rigidity and original configuration when thehose are mounted thereon in a manner to be more fully describedhereinafter and still possess a certain degree of fiexibility. Theinsert 10 should resist bending and the like when subjected to handling.It is preferred that the surfaces of the insert 10 be glazed orotherwise finished to provide a smooth surface.

The insert lfb comprises a first panel member 11, a second panel member12 which is of substantially the same dimensions as the first panelmember 11 and is complementary therewith. The first and second panelmembers 11 and 12 are united to one another by a fold line 13 extendingalong the side edge of each of the panels. A third panel member 14 ofsubstantially the same dimensions as the second panel member 12 isjoined to the second panel member 12 along the side edge thereofopposite the edge united to the first panel member 11 by a fold line 15.The insert 10 is foldable along the fold lines 13 and 15, with the innerfaces of the first and second panel members 11 and 12 being folded intoengagement with one another with the outside faces of the second andthird panel members 12 and 14 being folded into engagement with oneanother. This type of folding operation may be termed a Z fold. Itshould be noted that in this particular and preferred form of theembodiment, three panel members are shown. However, it is to beunderstood that with certain types and forms of hosiery, it is possibleto employ only two panel members folded upon one another. This willapply with all forms of inserts hereinafter described.

Reference is now to be had to Fig. 2 wherein a modified form of aninsert to be employed in the present invention and generally designatedby reference numeral 20 is shown. The insert 20 may `be made from anymaterial employed in producing the insert 10 shown in Fig. l. The insert20 comprises a first panel member 21 which is substantially identicalwith the first panel member 11 shown in the insert 10 of Fig. l. Asecond panel member 22 is integrally secured along one side edge to aside edge of the first panel member 21 by a fold line 23. The secondpanel member 22 is of a height less than that of the first panel member21 and is centrally disf posed with respect to the side edge of thefirst panel member 21, leaving a cut-out area -both above and below theside edge of the first panel member 21. A third panel member 24 of asize substantially identical with that of the first panel member 21 issecured along one side edge by a fold line 2S to the side edge of thesecond panel member 22 opposite the fold line 23. The third panel member24 is united to the second panel member in the same relationship as thefirst panel member 21 such that when folded each will be complementarywith one another. The insert 20 is foldable in the same manner as theinsert 10, to wit, by a Z fold in which the inside faces of the panelmembers 21 and 22 will be in engagement with one another while theoutside faces of the panel members 22 and 24 likewise will be inengagement. Insert 20 will be found to be of particular utility withsmaller size full fashioned hosiery in order to insure the properpositioning on the insert in the formation of the hosiery package.

Reference is now to be had to Fig. 3 wherein still another form of aninsert made in accordance with the present invention and generallydesignated by reference numeral 30 is shown. This form of insert is ofparticular utility with intermediate size full fashionery hosiery. Theinsert 3l) comprises a first panel member 31 substantially identicalwith the first panel members 11 and 21 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A secondpanel member 32 is joined along one side edge to the first panel member31 by a fold line 33. The second panel member 32 is of a height lessthan the first panel member 31 and extends from the bottom edge thereofup to a point short of the top edge, to thereby form a cut-out area atonly one end or edge thereof. The second panel member 32 thus is of aheight intermediate that of the second panel member 12 and the secondpanel member 32 of inserts 10 and 20, respectively, of Figs. 1 and 2. Athird panel member 34 isunited to the side edge of the second panelmember 32 opposite the fold line 33 by a fold line 35 in the samerelationship as the first panel member 31, and is complementary with thefirst panel member 31 whenin a folded state.

In producing a stocking package employing any of the inserts 10, 2f), or3f) hereinbefore described, reference will be had only to the insert 10.However, it is to be clearly understood that the same procedure will beemployed for all forms of the insert. It should be further noted thatwhere reference has been had to the fold lines in each of the inserts,it is to be understood that a fold area may be provided resulting in thepanel members being spaced from one another when folded so as to permitthe placing of several pairs of hose in a single package, as will bepointed out more fully hereinafter.

Reference is now to be had to Figs. 4-8 wherein the several steps to beemployed in the formation of the hosiery package made in accordance withthe presentv invention and utilizing insert 10 for illustrative purposesonly is shown. A hose H is placed in a flat, laid-out state in a definedarea on a worktable, bench, or the like, by the operator, as shown inFig. 4. The operator places the outside face of the first panel member11 of the insert 10 over the angle and heel and part of the foot portionof the hose H with the long axis of the panel member 11 lbeing ingeneral alignment with the long axis of the hosiery H. The long axis ofthe insert will therefore lie generally transverse to the long axis ofthe hose `H, as shown in Fig. 4. The lrngth of the first panel member 11is such that it will cover most of the foot portion, all of the heelportion, and part of the ankle portion o f hose H, since in thecompleted package it is this area of the hose H that is to be presentedto the purchaser in `a flat, laid-out and slightly tensioned state. Thispart of the hose H is also the portion which will give the consumer themost accurate appearance of the stockingwhen worn, as well as presentingthe shade and quality of the hose best. As shown in Fig. 4, in the firststage of operation, the toe portion and the remaining ankle and legportion still remains flat and in an uncovered state. This operation isshown clearly in Fig. 4.

In the next operation, the toe portion of the hose H is folded inwardlyor backward along the end edge of the panel member 11 and over theinside face of the first panel member 11. The remaining angle and legportion of the hose H is folded forwardly along the end edge of thepanel member 11 opposite that over which the toe portion was laid, andover the toe portion, as shown in Fig. 5. It should be noted that it isdesirable to have the heel and ankle portion in a slightly tensioned,laidout state. This may be positively insured by providing means forretaining the free end of the toe portion of the hose H in a fixed stateagainst the inside face of the first panel member 1l. This may beaccomplished by a small band attached at opposite ends to the insideface of the first panelmember 11 defining a narrowpocket within whichthe free end of the toe portion may be positioned. Alternatively, thefirst panel member 11 may be provided with parallel slits defining anarrow slotted band within which the free end of the hosiery may bepositioned.

The remaining part of the insert 10 is then folded forward along foldline 13 with the second panel member 12 being folded over the firstpanel member 11 in complementary relationship and holding the toeportion and a part of the leg portion in place. The remaining part ofthe leg portion of the hosiery H is then reversely folded back over theshort edge of the second panel member 12, as shown in Fig. 6. The thirdpanel member 14 is folded back over the remaining portion of the hoseand in complementary alignment with the second panel member 12, and theremaining portion of the hosiery which is, in effect, the welt portion,is folded back over the short edge of the third panel member as shown`in Fig. 7. The Welt portion of the hosiery H may be held in position bya wrapper W which extends around the side edge of the hosiery remotefrom the end over which the hosiery is folded. To accomplish this aportion of the third panel member 14 connected to the second panelmemberlZ may be provided with a slit to enable the label to be heldtherearound. Alternatively, the edge opposite the edge about which thehosiery is folded may be provided with a foldable tab portion which willbe inserted into the Welt portion of the hosiery to hold same inposition. There are other means and ways readily available by which theend or welt portion of the hosiery may -be held in position. Forexample, a foldable tab portion may be provided which will envelop overthe Welt portion of the hosiery and hold same in place. With this type,the foldable tab portion can bear advertising or identifying materialand the like.

At least one additional hose is placed between two of the folded facesof the insert 11. The insert with the hose H therearound and theadditional hose to complete the pair of hose is then placed in atransparent wrapper W, such as, for example, cellophane or the like, tocomplete the formation of the hosiery package. As has been hereinbeforeindicated, it is possible to package more than a single pair of hosieryin a single package. For example, three pairs of hosiery may be packagedin which one hose is positioned in a.manner hereinbefore indicated withthe five remaining hose then placed in a folded state be- 6 tween two ofthe folded faces of the panel members of the insert 11. When this isdone, the fold lines 13 and 15 will actually become fold areas in orderto provide proper spacing between the folded faces of the insert inorder for the additional hose to be placed therebetween in a smooth,fiat state.

As hereinbefore indicated, the faces of the inse'rt 11 should be glazedor otherwise finished to provide a smooth surface against which the hoseWill be in engagement. This is necessary in order to prevent snagging ofthe hose or the like. Moreover, the front face of the first panel member11 may be provided with decorated material which will function as aborder for the heel and ankle portion of the stocking to offset orfurther enhance the distinctive appearance of this portion of the singlehose presented to the customer in this package. Alternatively,advertising or other identifying material may be placed in this border.

As illustrated hereinbefore, the preferred embodiment of the inventionemploys three panel members of an insert which are Z folded. It shouldbe noted, as hereinbefore indicated, that with certain hosiery it ispossible to use a two panel insert. Reference is now to be had to Figs.9-12 wherein the two panel form of the invention is shown. The two panelmember generally designated by reference numeral 4G comprises a firstpanel member 41 and a second panel member 42 which are substantially ofthe same dimensions and are complementary with one another. The firstand second panel members, as shown, are united with one another by afold line 43 extending along the side edge of the panel members wherebythe panel members can be placed in superimposed relationship withrespect to one another. The two panel members 40 is used, in general, toproduce a hosiery package in substantially the same manner as with theother forms of the invention hereinbefore described. The toe and heelportion of the first hose H is presented on the front face of the firstpanel member 41 in the same manner as the other forms of the inventionhereinbefore described. The toe portion of the hose H is folded over theback face of the first panel member 41 with the remainder of the hose Hlikewise being folded over the back face of the first panel member 41. Asecond hose H" is placed between the panel members 41 and 42 and theremaining lportion of the first hose H' is reversely folded, with thepanel members 41 and 42 being placed in superimposed relationship withrespect to one another. The hosiery package is completed by placing thepanel member 40 and the hosiery H' and H" in the state just described ina transparent wrapper W in the same manner as the other forms of theinvention. Full fashioned hosiery is best suited for utilization withthe packages made in accordance with the present invention. Whileseamless hosiery can be packaged with the present invention, suchhosiery must be of an extremely high quality since such hosiery will notbe presented to best advantage with the present invention.

While there have been described herein what are at 'present consideredpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the essence of the invention; It is thereforetobe understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in theappended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be includedtherein.

We claim:

l. A hosiery package comprising an insert having first, second, andthird complementary panel members folded against one another in a Zfold, said complementary panel members being joined respectively to o-neanother along one side edge by a fold line, the heel and ankle portionof a first hose positioned against the outside face of the sioned state,the general long axis of said heel and ankle portion lying in a planegenerally'parallel to said fold line,

the toe portion'of Vthe hose being folded back against the inside faceof the first panel member, the remaining portion of rthe hose beingfolded over the inside face of the first panel member of the insert andthen back over the outside face of the second panel member of saidinsert, and then back over the outside face of the third panel member ofsaid insert, at least a second hose placed between two of the foldedpanel members of the said insert and wraper means enveloping said insertand said hosiery.

2. A hosiery package comprising an insert having first, second, and'third complementary panel members folded against one another in a Zfold, said complementary panel members being joined respectively to oneanother along one side edge by a fold line, the heel and ankle portionof a first hose positioned against the outside face of the first panelmember of said insert in a fiat, slightly tensioned state, the generallong aXis of said heel and ankle portion lying in a plane generallyparallel to said fold line, the toe portion of the hose being foldedback against the inside face of the first panel member, means to holdsaid toe portion in position, the remaining portion of the hose beingfolded over the inside face of the first panel member of the insert andthen back over the o-utside face of the second panel member of saidinsert, and then back over the outside face of the third panel memberofsaid insert, at least a second hose placed between two of the foldedpanel members of the said insert and Wrapper means enveloping saidinsert and said hosiery.

3. A hosiery package comprising an insert having first, second, andthird complementary panel members folded against one another in a Zfold, said complementary panel members being joined respectively to oneanother along one side edge by a fold line, the heel and ankle portionof a first hose positioned against the outside face of the first panelmember of said insert in a fiat, slightly tensioncd state, the generallong axis of said heel and ankle portion lying in a plane generallyparallel to said fold line, the toe portion of the hose being foldedback against the inside face of the first panel member, the remainingportion of the hose being folded over the inside face of the `hrst panelmember of the insert and then back over the outside face of the secondpanel member of said insert, and then back over the outside face of thethird panel member of said insert, wrapper means to hold the free end ofthe hose in tight engagement, at least a second hose u placed betweentwo of the folded panel members of the said insert and wrapper meansenveloping said insert and said hosiery.

4. A hosiery package comprising an insert having first, second, andthird complementary panel members folded against one another in a Zfold, said complementary panel members being joined respectively to oneanother along one side edge by a fold line, the heel and ankle portionof a first hose positioned against the outside face of the first panelmember of said insert in a fiat, slightly tensioned state, the generallong axis of said heel and ankle portion lying in a plane generallyparallel to said fold line, the toe portion of the hose being foldedback against the inside face of the first panel member, the remainingportion Vof the hose being folded over the inside face of the firstpanel member of the insert and then back over the outside face of thesecond panel member of said insert, and then back over the outside faceof the third panel member of said insert, means to hold the free end ofthe hose in tight' engagement, at least a second hose placed between twoof the folded panel members ofthe said insert and wrapper meansenveloping said insert and said hosiery'.

5. A hosiery package in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondpanel member is of a height less than that of said first and third panelmembers.

6. A hose and insert for use in forming a hosiery package comprising aninsert having first, second, and third complementary panel membersfol-ded against one another in a Z fold, said complementary panelmembers being joined to one another respectively along one side edge bya fold line, the heel and ankle portion of a single hose positionedagainst the outside face of the first panel member of said insert in afiat, slightly tensioned state, the general long axis of said heel andankle portion lying in a plane generally parallel to said fold line, thetoe portion of the hose being folded back over the bottom edge of thefirst panel member and against the inside face thereof, the remainingportion of the hose being folded over the inside face of the first panelmember of the insert and then back over the outside face of the secondpanel member of said insert, and then reversely back over the outsideface of the third panel member of said insert.

7. A hosiery package comprising first, second, and third complementarypanel members in superimposed relationship to one another, the heel andankle portion of a single first hose positioned against the outside faceof the first panel member in a at, laid out state, the remaining portionof the hose being folded over the inside face of the first panel memberand then back over the outside face of the second panel member, and thenback over the outside face of the third panel member, the toe portion ofthe hose being reversely folded, at least a second hose placed betweentwo of the panel members, and transparent wrapper means enveloping saidpanel members and said hosiery.

8. A hosiery package comprising first and second complementary panelmembers in superimposed relationship to one another, the heel and ankleportion of a single first hose positioned against the outside face ofthe first panel member in a fiat, laid out state, the remaining portionof the hose being folded over the inside face of the first panel memberand the remaining portion being reversely folded over the outer face ofthe second panel member, the toe portion of the hose being reverselyfolded over the inside face of the first panel member, at least a secondhose placed between the panel members, and transparent wrapper meansenveloping said panel members and said hosiery.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,872,936 Gosch Aug. 23, 1932 2,622,730 Sharp Dec. 23, 1952 FOREIGNPATENTS 693,859 Germany July 20, 1940

